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Session Three: Vibrational Use of Key and Scale

Indian Ragas

Indian classical music is built upon melodic motif and rhythm. Using the four stringed tabla to provide a drone which is typically a root and fifth, a harmonium which often plays the raga and variations to support the main melodic voice, a set of tablas or other percussion to provide the beat, and a solo instrument, likely the sitar, flute, or the voice, the music follows one of the Thats, or scales that comprise the raga. There are up to a hundred ragas in use, each provides an emotional mood and is often relegated to a particular time of day. Following the rhythm of the day and the changing moods and vibrations, the ragas can be a soundtrack for the daily flow.

The study of ragas and their specific nuances is a task of devotion. For our purposes here it is obvious that the ragas, because they are vibration intending to convey and effect emotion, are a useful tool to include in your healing music repertoire. Because the specific tunings of Indian instruments can vary significantly from the Western standards, playing the modal ragas accurately can be a challenge. Nevertheless, using the feel and the drone and the Thats/scales, you can effect the chakras and emotions in powerful ways.

Let them, at the very least, be inspiration to the variations available to you. Combining musical elements from the Indian culture or others gives birth to new forms that just may be the perfect vibration to do profound work. Let your heart guide you.

Below there is extensive information on some of the ragas. I have included a video/audio performance of each. Listen to them all and begin to get the sense of what Indian music can bring to your own creations. In this world of growing Oneness we are being invited, even pushed towards collaboration of styles. How can you resist?

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Rag Ahir Bhairav

Rag Asavari

Rag Bahar

Rag Bhairav

Rag Bhairavi

Rag Bhimpalasi

Rag Bhupali

Rag Bhupeshwari

Rag Bihag

Rag Bilawal

Rag Chandrakauns

Rag Darbari Kanada

Rag Desh

Rag Deshkar

Rag Durga

Rag Gujari Todi

Rag Kafi

Rag Kalingada

Rag Kalyan

Rag Khammaj

Rag Lalit

Rag Malkauns

Rag Marwa

Rag Mian-ki-Todi

Rag Purvi

Rag Tilak Kamod

List of some ragas. Click on each to access
detailed information.

Rag Ahir Bhairav

Rag Asavari

Rag Bahar

Rag Bhairav

Rag Bhairavi

Rag Bhimpalasi

Rag Bhupali

Rag Bhupeshwari

Rag Bihag

Rag Bilawal

Rag Chandrakauns

Rag Darbari Kanada

Rag Desh

Rag Deshkar

Rag Durga

Rag Gujari Todi

Rag Kafi

Rag Kalingada

Rag Kalyan

Rag Khammaj

Rag Lalit

Rag Malkauns

Rag Marwa

Rag Mian-ki-Todi

Rag Purvi

Rag Tilak Kamod

Click a rag title to access a video of performance

Even though the specific tunings can be different, familiarize yourself with these scales and and play them against a root/fifth drone using your guitar, flute, piano, or keyboard as a melodic instrument. Explore. I know you will find inspiration.

Listen to additional samples of a variety of Indian music including the current modern Bollywood expressions.

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